Book-holder



(No Model.)

W.B.DAUGHEB;TY.'

Book Holder.

No. 234,460. Patented Nov. 16,1880.

UNrrEn STATES PATENT OFFICE.

WILLIAM B. DAUGHERTY, OF CARSON, NEVADA.

BOOK-HOLDER.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 234,460, dated November 16, 1880.

Application filed July 30, 1880.

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, WILLIAM B. DAUGH- ERTY, of Carson, county of Ormsby, and State of Nevada, have invented an Improved Book- 5 Holder; and I hereby declare the following to be a full, clear, and exact description thereof.

My invention relates to a novel device for holding an open book, the device being hung from the shoulders of the reader in such a manner as to have the book in proper place for reading, allowing the reader to assume any position he may desire, and leaving the arms and hands free.

It consists of a base, upon which the book rests, and from the sides of this base are two curved arms, which are so formed as to hook over the shoulders of the reader, and are properly braced to hold the base in the same relative position, whether the reader is in a sitting, standing, or reclining position.

Referring to the accompanying drawings, Figure l is a view of my invention. Fig. 2 shows its application.

Let A represent the base upon which the book rests. This base may be constructed of any light material, and is oblong in shape, having one end curved or concaved, as shown, for the purpose of better fitting the person of the reader.

Extending from the concave inner end of the base A are curved arms B B, which are so formed as to hook over the shoulders of the reader and hold the base in place.

Braces c c reach midway from the arms B B to the base A, and serve to stiffen the parts. These braces are formed with the arms by bending a single wire for each of the arms, so that the hooked portion is double, while the parts separate at the cross-brace, as shown.

The arms B B are held together by a crosspieoe, b, which prevents them spreading and slipping from the shoulders.

Across the base A, at a point between the braces 0 c, is placed a wire, D, which stands a short distance above the base, and has projections F, formed by bending it near the ends, as shown, so that the lower end of an open (No model.)

book may be placed beneath and the leaves held down. Another projecting portion, G, at the center, extends down to the base and acts as a stop, to prevent the book from sliding down beneath the cross-bar.

The other end of the book is held in place by means of a clamp, E. This clamp consists of a wire rod, which is fitted to slide along beneath the base A. This rod is bent up at right angles, passing through a slit near the top of the partA, and extending to a sufficient height to hold an ordinary book, being so formed atits upper end as to press down upon the opposite pages of an open book. This clamp is adjust.- able, so that when a book is to be removed the clamp is pushed up away from the book, allowing it to become free. It is also curved slightly backward at the point where it is bent to pass up through the slot, so that it will have an elastic pressure upon the book-leaves.

When it is desired to place a book in this holder the book is opened and the lower end placed under the curved holding-wire D, and the clamp E brought into proper position to hold the upper end of the book. The curved ends of the arms B B are then hooked over the shoulders, and the book is thus firmly held in position.

This device is very convenient, as the reader may have the hands free for writing or other occupation, and may read in any position desired.

Having thus described my invention, what I claim as new, and desire to secure by Letters Patent, is

A book-rest consisting of the table or support A, having one end curved to fit against the body, and provided with the hook-shaped arms B, so connected with the table by braces, and adapted, as described, to fit over the shoulders, substantially as herein described.

In witness whereofl have hereunto set my hand.

WILLIAM B. DAUGHERTY.

Witnesses:

J. F. HALLOOK, R. H. WRIGHT. 

